September 30, 2026 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs

Proverbs 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

The fear of man brings a snare because man often operates by intimidation and coercion. Many folks have been lead, misguided, trapped, abused, robbed, hurt and a host of others things because of the fear of what man does.

However, trusting in the Lord brings safety.

I once had a fella come to our church desiring to hear the word of God. After the gospel was preached, (The gospel being that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead for our justification. He shed His precious blood as payment for our salvation.) this dear man wanted me to visit with him at his home.

Later, during my visit and after the gospel was taught again, I gave him opportunity to trust in the Lord and be saved. We became fearful and would not place his faith and trust in Jesus. I asked why? why would he refuse to be saved?

He said, his brother was a Catholic priest; his brother threatened him telling him if he trusted in Christ and became a Baptist he, as a priest, would take away his salvation and condemn him to hell.

The priest falsely used a bible passage to scare his brother.

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

That priest used fear as a tactic to coerce his brother into rejecting Christ. Matthew 16:18-19 has nothing to do with any priesthood on earth. In fact, if you study your bible you will find there is no priesthood on earth until the millennium. Any church, organization or person who claims priesthood is false.

If one is to fear it is not man he should fear but God.

Matthew 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Here is what the Lord said about those who are troubled with the fear of unrighteous men.

2Thessalonians 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Jesus said in Matthew11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Proverbs 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook